UK athletes Mark Cavendish and Mo Farah could accept any London 2012 medals in bare feet to avoid breaching contracts with personal sponsors, as the British Olympic Association (BOA) has stated that British medal winners can only wear adidas shoes at medal ceremonies.

Mr Cavendish and Mr Farah, who are both sponsored by US brand Nike, will wear adidas clothing as part of Team GB in the 2012 Olympics, but will be permitted to wear their own footwear during competition, because it is classed as technical equipment.

However, they will be expected to wear Team GB’s official presentation outfit for medal ceremonies, including footwear.

According to a report in UK newspaper The Telegraph, agents of Britain’s athletes have warned that athletes could take off their shoes before walking out to the podium to avoid contractual issues with personal sponsors.

One agent claimed a “gentleman’s agreement” had been in place at previous Olympic Games, with sports brands agreeing to overlook footwear, but the BOA has confirmed its intention to enforce the rule.

“There will be chaos if this rule is enforced,” one agent was quoted as saying. “They are quite happy to wear adidas tracksuits, but their footwear is almost part of them, it is wrong to tell them they have to change their shoes.”

The BOA has insisted it has the legal right, under the Olympic charter, to enforce the clothing and worn by members of its delegation. Athletes have to sign a BOA athlete team agreement which specifies “you agree to wear and use team kit as supplied by or agreed in writing by the BOA... at all times during the Games period when you are in or at an Olympic venue”.

“We absolutely intend to uphold this provision,” BOA spokesman Darryl Seibel said. “It’s in the agreement for a reason. It is a standard part of the team member’s agreement and has, in fact, been in place for at least the last two Olympic Games dating back to 2004. It’s not new; other national Olympic Committees have a similar requirement.”

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